Final answer:
The Judicial Branch encompasses the Supreme Court and lower courts, with judges serving for life to promote independence but remaining subject to checks by the legislative and executive branches, including impeachments and judicial nominations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Judicial Branch, established under Article III of the United States Constitution, includes the Supreme Court and the system of lower courts. The power granted to the judicial branch allows it to interpret the law, ensure justice, and strike down laws or government actions deemed unconstitutional. Federal judges are appointed for life, ensuring independence from the other branches of government. However, they can be removed via impeachment for misconduct.
Congress has the authority to establish lower courts and has exerted this power to create a hierarchical court system comprising district and circuit courts. Judges' decisions are continually reviewed and scrutinized by higher courts, legal scholars, and the public. Despite their significant role in interpreting the law, judges must base their decisions on the Constitution and existing statutes.
External checks on the judicial branch include the executive and legislative branches. The President nominates federal judges, while the Senate confirms them, allowing both branches to influence the judiciary's composition. Congress also has the power to rewrite or amend laws in response to judicial decisions, and in extreme cases, can propose constitutional amendments to override specific rulings.